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Honda's Landmark FCX Clarity

The world's first production model of a fuel-cell-powered car will be available next summer on an extremely limited basis

Honda's Landmark FCX Clarity

By Stuart Schwartzapfel

The 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show (Nov. 16-25) was stuffed with more green than a bank vault this year, from General Motors' hybrid Silverado pickup to Chrysler's advanced hybrid Durango. But Honda went one better with the world's first production model of a hydrogen fuel-cell-powered car, the FCX Clarity.

Unlike mainline hybrids—or even Honda's natural gas-powered version of the Civic—the FCX will be available in the summer of 2008 on an extremely limited basis. However only those residing in Torrance, Santa Monica, and Irvine, Calif., will qualify for the three-year, $600/month lease, which covers collision insurance and maintenance. These geographic limitations line up with the extremely limited number of hydrogen refueling stations throughout the country.

Honda claims the vehicle will go about 270 miles before refueling—more or less comparable to the range of an average, gasoline-powered automobile. The carmaker also says that FCX's driving efficiency levels are twice that of a hybrid electric vehicle—and three times more efficient than a conventional gasoline vehicle.

Its looks feature an extreme, somewhat futuristic design language. The windshield base starts forward of the front wheel and sweeps all the way back to the trunk lid. Honda refers to this continuous curve as "dynamic full cabin design." It is quite stately, in a Back to the Future sort of way.

The Verdict: A true zero-emissions vehicle is now within reach.

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